Hello? Who dat?

Simple phone etiquette

Welcome to the world of mobile phones. As mobile phones become less expensive and more accessible, Jamaicans are becoming less concerned about the proper way to use the phone. Basic courtesies, and some new ones, apply to mobile-phone usage.

Let's start with making a call. Unless you are calling a friend or calling in an emergency, there is not likely to be a business reason to call someone before 6 a.m. Check the number before you dial, then check it again. Dialling the wrong number is a waste of money and annoying. Of course, everyone makes mistakes; if you make this one, politely let the person know before hanging up - don't just hang up in their ear.

identify yourself

Unless it's a good friend or family member, don't assume that the person you are calling knows who you are. Take a moment to identify yourself before continuing with the call. Similarly, when answering the phone, it is perfectly acceptable to ask, "Who am I speaking with?"

Think about your environment when making or receiving a call. If it's too noisy or distracting, consider sending a text message instead. If the person on the other end can't hear you, the call is pointless. In public areas, shouting is just not acceptable. Your call is a personal conversation between you and your caller, not the entire room. Keep the conversation at an acceptable level.

Let's take a moment to talk about ring tones. Ring tones are a great way to customise a phone, to make a statement about who you are and what you represent. But they may not always be appropriate for all situations. If you know your ring tone is excessively loud, has objectionable content or profanity, put your phone on vibrate whenever you are not alone.

Humans are visual creatures. We take a lot of our cues from what we see. Keep this in mind when on the phone. The caller can't see you shake your head or that you are not paying attention, so make sure you actually speak to them. By the same token, you may seem like a crazy person to others that don't recognise you are using Bluetooth technology to chat hands free.

Speaking of Bluetooth, headsets are mandatory when operating a vehicle while on a call. Never sacrifice your safety by holding a phone while you drive. If you follow this simple rule, you follow the next rule by default. Do not text while driving.

It may seem basic, but basically we need to observe these simple courtesies for both our sanity and for our safely.

Techiteasy@carlettedeleon.com